Q&A with Chris Phoenix
Chris Phoenix is a 22 year old artist out of Seattle, WA who released his third project in March. We've been loving his dreamy beats, and in our new Q&A, he talked to us about his inspirations and creative process.
How long have you been making music?
I have been making music since 2020, I first started releasing songs around 2021.
What are you working on currently?
I released my 3rd project in March so, I’m currently working on releasing singles and focusing on just making/marketing my music. For so much of the first two years, I was prioritizing putting out quality and building extensive body of works but not so much exposure.
What’s your writing process like?
My writing process used to be a lot more stringent than it currently is. More so, my first year, I use to start with writing verses that arises from a topic, whether that be mental health, how I’m feeling, money, or just any random subject. Then I would expound on that writing the entire song , chorus last. Now, I usually start with the a melody. Just me humming or listening to an instrumental over and over and over and over…haha… and over again. Then, I’ll mumble and write the words in my phone so I won’t forget but the bulk of the song, I actually won’t write but freestyle because that’s a lot more authentic and I let the beat say what needs to be said for me. I think that showcases the biggest change from my early songs to my more recent output.
Do you have a favorite song you’ve written? If you do, why is it your favorite?
My favorite song, like most artists, is the next one. But, in regards to sentimental songs which stick out to me…my favorite is probably "Trail Mix." That song was completely free-styled and ended up becoming my best written song. Yes, a song I didn’t even write is my best written song. When I was recording it, words just kept flowing and if you listen to it, it feels like me just thinking out loud. It is comparable to a basketball player in the zone and every shot is just going in. Or, when you’re cruising down the street on a sunny day and you’re just catching green after green, feeling like today is your day. I don’t even feel like I wrote that song but, my heart did.
Who, or what, has most influenced your music and artistic style?
I’d say my inequities as a human has influenced my music the most. My lust for acceptance, love, money sparks my insanity to make music thinking other people will listen. Making music is beautiful but it’s also some of the most narcissistic things a person can do. I just try to be self aware and straddle the line between gloating in my flaws through my art and just being cognizant.
Regarding artists, I stopped being heavily influenced by other artists because I think I’m better than any musical artist that’s ever lived. It sounds absurd and unfathomable, 1. Because music is subjective and 2. I haven’t accomplished anything yet but, I know my talent and ability so I try to instill the mindset that I don’t need to look up to anyone. I do look at artists though. I listen to EVERYTHING. But artists I pay attention to from an amazement standpoint and influence are, Kanye West, Jay Electronica, Tupac Shakur, Drake, Jay Z, Charles Hamilton, and Kendrick. When these artists drop, I listen and usually have the feeling, “Man, I gotta step my shit up. These dudes are RAPPING rapping.”
But I also dig a lot of non-rap music and acts such as Blink-182, Clairo, Slipknot, Owl City, Phoebe Bridgers, and Taylor Swift among other have really cultivated my extensive sound.